Sunni mosques in Iraq attacked in apparent retaliation for Saudi execution of Shiite cleric

WORLD

Sunni mosques in Iraq attacked in apparent retaliation for Saudi execution of Shiite cleric

An Iraqi policeman inspects the debris at the Sunni Al-Fateh mosque, which was one of two mosques bombed overnight, in a village called Sinjar, just outside Hilla, about 80 km (50 miles) south of Baghdad on Monday. Groups of men wearing military uniforms detonated explosives at two Sunni mosques overnight in the Hilla region, and a muezzin — the person appointed to recite the Muslim call to prayer — was shot dead near his home in Iskandariyah, police and medics said. | AFP-JIJI

Reuters

Jan 5, 2016

BAGHDAD – At least two Sunni Muslim mosques have been attacked in Iraq and two people killed in apparent retaliation for the execution of a senior Shiite cleric in Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, officials and police said on Monday.

Iraqi Shiites protesting the Jan. 2 execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr separately marched in Baghdad and southern cities, while a powerful Iranian-backed Shiite militia group pressured the government to sever ties with Riyadh.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed the attacks on Sunni mosques late Sunday in Hilla, around 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi blamed them on “Daesh (Islamic State) and those who are similar to them,” without further explanation.